36 



That ukase is directed to tlie suppression of a "secret and illicit 

 trafific" aud " oppression and impediments" to wMcli the trade of Eus- 

 sian subjects on tlie Aleutian Islands on the northwest coast of 

 America was subjected. "The principal cause of these difficulties" is 

 stated in the ukase. It "is the want of rules establishing boundaries 

 for navigation along these coasts," not through Bering Sea, "and the 

 order of naval communication as well in these places as on the whole 

 of the eastern coasts of Siberia and the Kurile Islands." 



In renewiug the charter of the Russian- American Company in 1821, 

 all these abuses were dealt with in the ukase, published on September 

 7, 1821. That was a complete code of laws consisting of 63 sections, 

 regulating and setting apart, as an exclusive and additional right 

 "granted to Russian subjects" of "the pui'suit of commerce, whaling, 

 and fishery, and all other industries on all islands, ports, and gull's, 

 including the whole of the northwest coast of America," from Bering 

 Straits to the 51° of north latitude, and 45° 50' on the Siberian side of 

 Bering Sea. 



In this ukase, following this exclusive grant of rights and privileges 

 to Russian subjects, section 2 ordains that: 



It is therefore prohibited to all foreign vessels not only to land on 

 the coasts and islands belonging to Russia as stated above, but also 

 to approach them within less than a hundred Italian miles. The trans- 

 gressor's vessel is subject to confiscation, along with the whole cargo. 



The second charter of the Russian-American Company was based 

 upon the ukase of 1821, which was based upon and amended the ukase 

 of 1799. The first and second articles of that charter are as follows: 



I. 



The company established for carrying on industries and trade on the 

 mainland of I^orthwest America, on the Aleutian and on the Kurile 

 Ishmds remains, as heretofore, under the highest protection of His 

 Imiicrial Majesty. 



II. 



It enjoys the privilege of hunting and fishing, to the exclusion of all 

 other Russian or foreign subjects throughout the territories long since 

 in the possession of Russia on the coasts of JSTorthwest America, begin- 

 ning at .the northern point of the Island of Vancouver, in latitude 51° 

 north, and extending to Bering Strait and beyond, as well as on all 

 islands adjoining the coast and all those situated between this coast 

 and the eastern shore of Siberia, as well as on the Kurile Islands, where 

 the company has engaged in hunting, down to the south cape of the 

 Island Urupa, in latitude 45° 50'. 



